Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is committed to creating a conducive mining environment through legislation reviews intended to transform Botswana into a global mining hub, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.
He noted that in addition to the Diamond Cutting Act and Precious and Semi-Precious Stones (Protection) Amendment Bills which Parliament passed two years ago, plans were afoot to amend the Mines and Mineral Act in an endeavour to enhance and grow the mining sector.
He was speaking at the official opening of Motheo Copper Mine near Ghanzi yesterday(August 9).
Motheo mine is an open pit project developed by Australian-based Sandfire Resources.
He noted that the Minerals Policy further promoted equal participation in mineral development, especially for marginalised segments of the society.
“The Botswana mining industry is guided by the Minerals Policy, and one of its objectives is to strengthen local capacity for equal participation in mineral development, which include employment creation and skills development. The policy also aims to create an environment that is conducive for women participation as well as to empower other traditionally socially disadvantaged groups, with a strong emphasis on empowering local communities in the vicinity of the mines,” he said.
Even though diamonds contributed more than 90 per cent of the total mining share in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), President Masisi said, the significant value of copper and other minerals towards economic growth could not go unnoticed.
He hailed Motheo Copper Mine for being a significant player in making a positive impact in the socio-economic development of the country and the communities within which it operates.
“The construction and commissioning of the Motheo Copper Mine, therefore, has provided a positive impact on the local communities of Ghanzi, Kuke, D’Kar and their environs. The positive spin-offs include direct and indirect employment, local procurement of goods and services, the engagement of local contractors and an ever-expanding community relations programme built around improving the lives of the local people,” he noted.
Additionally, Dr Masisi said apart from the opportunities created directly from mining, the project would stimulate other investments such as road networks, health services, electricity, telecommunications services, among others, while at the same time contributing towards food security by co-existing with agricultural projects in the region.
He commended Sandfire Resources for good environmental management practices which resonated with the national vision’s aspirations of minimising environmental risks in mining.
“The government is mindful of the risk that mining projects can pose for the environment if not managed well. It is therefore, comforting to note that Sandfire has implemented strict processes and controls at Motheo Mine to ensure that the mine’s environmental impact is kept at minimum levels,” he said.
This, the President said, was is in line with government’s commitment to manage resources in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner that incorporates provenance, as espoused in the National Vision 2036.
The chairperson of Sandfire Resources board, Mr John Richards appreciated government for creating a conducive and welcoming business environment for private sector investment, which has contributed to the rapid progress Motheo Copper Mine experienced since they commenced construction less than three years ago.
“Botswana is recognised globally as a world-class, stable and attractive mining jurisdiction, with well-developed infrastructure, sound economic growth and a clear stable mining policy. This level of maturity and transparency has been instrumental in helping Sandfire make such rapid progress at Motheo,” he said.
He said they were committed to collaborating with other stakeholders in contribution towards making a positive impact on the local communities.
To this end, he said, that the project had already created 1 900 job opportunities during the construction phase, while 800 and 1 500 people were expected to be employed full time and through support services respectively.
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